BBC Wednesday, 20 June, 2001, 17:58 GMT 18:58 UK

Toilet habits 'could cause stroke'

The way some people go to the toilet could be a matter of life or death.

Squatting may increase the risk of stroke, particularly if a person is defecating, researchers suggest.

Doctors in Calcutta, India found a third of stroke deaths occurred while people were squatting.

Results presented to the World Congress of Neurology in London showed how doctors started investigating when they realised they were seeing more stroke patients in the morning than any other time of day.

Doctors looked at records for 100 patients, and found just over a half the strokes were occurring between five and nine o'clock in the morning.

Position

The Calcutta team also found that squatting, whether defecating or not, raises blood pressure.

They say the rise was especially significant in people with hypertension, who already have a greater risk of stroke

They suggest it has long been recognised that defecation can bring on a stroke.

They do not say everyone should change to using different positions when they go to the toilet.

But they do suggest those with high blood pressure avoid squatting; and that doctors looking after people with hypertension measure their blood pressure during a squat as well as when they're sitting or lying.

The Stroke Association told BBC News Online it was not aware of any research suggesting squatting or defecating were risk factors for strokes.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Answers

Ahhh, they don't know squat!

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I would think someone's inclination towards constipation, and therefore increased straining, would be a factor. May I suggest we just not give a sh!t?

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

"They do not say everyone should change to using different positions when they go to the toilet."

If they did say everyone should use different positions, just what different positions might they recommend? Don't know 'bout you guys, but there ain't enough room in either of our bathrooms to stretch out on the toilet and I wouldn't recommend a stand-up routine. Not much choice, is there?

I wonder if colostomy patients have a lower rate of stroke?

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

I think they doctors should switch to standing on their heads when the SHT.

There is a shortage of 'fixtures' in that country, so squatting is more common. Not like they would put a chair with a toilet seat over the hole, ya know. And that is what must bathrooms are there, a hole in the ground. TP? LOL Do you see them shaking hands when they greet each other on the street? LOL

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

Just realized that squatting is one of my main standbys when I garden. (Just not enough room to set up an emergency toilet seat in the petunia bed.) What a way to go!

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

No, no, no! Not suggesting that's how I fertilizer my garden. (Well, surely not admitting to it...)

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

Petunia was the name on the side of the septic tank truck the kids used to crush the car in Stephen Kings' book, Christine.

Coincidence?

LOL

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001